Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 19: As per information gathered, there is clamour from within the Congress circles for Karnataka chief minister, Siddaramaiah, to contest from a constituency in North Karnataka in the coming assembly election. Several Congress leaders believe that this will affectively put to naught the tempo created by the BJP which has been preparing to field former chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa, from a constituency in North Karnataka.

Already veteran Congress leader and former minister, Satish Jarkiholi, and excise minister, R B Timmapur, it is said, have requested Siddaramaiah to choose a constituency from north Karnataka. While Jarkiholi wants the CM to enter the fray from Athani constituency in Belagavi district, Timmapur has suggested to pick any of the constituencies in Bagalkot district. As per indications, Yeddyurappa may also choose to fight the election from a constituency in Bagalkot district.

Many Congress leaders feel that by fighting the election from North Karnataka, Siddaramaiah will be giving a huge push to the enthusiasm and morale of party activists in that region. They also are of the opinion that it will foil the strategy of BJP to gain eminence by fielding Yeddyurappa from that region. As the coming election would be a clash between Yeddyurappa and Sidaramaiah under whom the election would be fought, there is also the question of prestige.

Some predict the possibility of Siddaramaiah being fielded from two constituencies, one from South Karnataka and the other from north. As per the current information, there is speculation that Siddaramaiah might opt himself to be fielded from Chamundeshwarai constituency, Mysuru instead of Varuna from where he was elected previously. It is said that Siddaramaiah wants to concede Varuna seat to his son Dr Yathindra.

Confirming the development, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee working president, S R Patil, said that party activists want Siddaramaiah to fight from a constituency in Bagalkot district but a decision is yet to be taken on the suggestion. Patil at the same time, hastened to add that Yeddyurappa's decision to fight from a constituency in North Karnataka will not have any bearing on Congress chances. He said that his party will not have anything to worry even if Narendra Modi and Amit Shah decide to contest from North Karnataka constituencies.